F.N.B. Corporation Reports Net Income of $23.7 Million for Fourth Quarter 2011

HERMITAGE, Pa., Jan. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.  Net income for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $23.7 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared with third quarter of 2011 net income of $23.8 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, and fourth quarter of 2010 net income of $23.5 million, or $0.21 per diluted share.  The fourth quarter of 2010 results included the benefit of a one-time credit to pension expense for $6.9 million (after-tax), which increased net income by $0.06 per diluted share.

Net income for the full year of 2011 totaled $87.0 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, compared to $74.7 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, for the full year ended December 31, 2010.  Full year 2011 net income included merger costs of $3.2 million (after-tax), or $0.02 per diluted share, and full year 2010 net income included the benefit of a one-time credit to pension expense for $6.9 million (after-tax) and merger costs of $0.4 million (after-tax), which increased full year net income by $0.06 per diluted share.

Vincent J. Delie, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of F.N.B. Corporation commented, "The fourth quarter of 2011 proved to be a strong finish to a successful year for FNB, with financial results demonstrating our consistent positive momentum.  The fourth quarter includes continued strong loan growth, solid deposit growth, a stable net interest margin and credit quality reflecting further improvement from previous good levels.  We are very pleased to deliver these results for our shareholders."

Mr. Delie continued, "We enter 2012 well positioned to build on our positive momentum, with ten consecutive quarters of total loan growth, an excellent team of bankers in place and an enhanced presence in the Pittsburgh market with the recently completed Parkvale Financial acquisition."

F.N.B. Corporation's performance ratios for the fourth quarter of 2011 were as follows: return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP measure) was 15.94%; return on average equity was 7.72%; return on average tangible assets (non-GAAP measure) was 1.06% and return on average assets was 0.95%.  A reconciliation of GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures is included in the tables that accompany this press release.  

Fourth Quarter 2011 Results

(All comparisons refer to the third quarter of 2011, except as noted)

Net Interest Income

Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis totaled $82.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, a slight 0.4% decline from $82.4 million in the prior quarter.  The fourth quarter net interest margin of 3.79% remained stable given the continued strong loan growth and actions taken to better position the balance sheet such as the pre-payment of FHLB borrowings.

"Through the execution of our relationship-based strategy, we have successfully achieved loan growth for eleven consecutive quarters in the Pennsylvania commercial portfolio, a testament to the quality, effectiveness and diligent efforts of the FNB team," said Mr. Delie.  "Winning and building these relationships is an important strategy for FNB with the benefits also apparent in the growth generated in transaction deposits and customer repurchase agreements."  

Average loans for the fourth quarter totaled $6.8 billion, increasing $86.5 million or 5.1% annualized, with strong growth results in the Pennsylvania commercial and consumer loan portfolios.  The Pennsylvania commercial portfolio grew $63.9 million or 6.8% annualized, with positive results seen across nearly all regions, particularly the Pittsburgh region.  Average consumer loan growth totaled $35.4 million, or 5.0% annualized, driven by strong growth of $28.6 million, or 7.1% annualized, in average home equity lending balances (comprised of lines of credit and direct installment loans) through a focus in our branch network to increase our market share for these products.

Average deposits and customer repurchase agreements totaled $8.0 billion, decreasing $13.4 million or 0.7% annualized, with growth in relationship-based transaction accounts and customer repurchase agreements offset by a continued planned decline in time deposits.  Transaction deposits and customer repurchase agreements increased $40.7 million, or 2.8% annualized, as a result of new client acquisition and customers holding higher average balances.  As of December 31, 2011, FNB's total customer-based funding was 97% of total deposits and borrowings.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income totaled $32.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, increasing $3.0 million, or 10.0%.  Excluding the $3.5 million in gains on the sale of securities, non-interest income declined slightly by $0.5 million or 1.7%.  During the fourth quarter, higher gains on the sale of securities were partially offset by seasonally lower fee revenue from service charges, seasonally lower insurance commissions and fees, and lower securities commissions and fees and trust income reflecting the volatile market conditions in the fourth quarter.  Non-interest income excluding gains on the sale of securities and other-than-temporary impairment charges represented 26% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2011, consistent with the prior quarter.

To better position the balance sheet, investment securities of $88.0 million with a book yield of 2.10% were sold during the quarter at a gain of $3.4 million.  Offsetting these gains were $3.3 million in charges associated with the pre-payment of $136.0 million of Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings with an effective rate of 2.36%.  

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense totaled $71.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, increasing $2.4 million or 3.4%, reflecting the $3.3 million in FHLB pre-payment charges.  Excluding the FHLB prepayment charges, non-interest expense declined $1.0 million, or 1.4%.  This decline was primarily the result of other real estate owned (OREO) costs decreasing $0.8 million, reflecting fewer valuation adjustments and lower than planned tax assessments.  Additionally, lower other non-interest expense partially offset higher personnel costs reflecting increased incentive compensation resulting from higher profitability and performance-based awards.  Merger-related costs were $0.4 million, compared to $0.3 million in the prior quarter.  The efficiency ratio for the fourth quarter was 59%, consistent with the prior quarter.

Income Tax Expense

The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter was 27.7%, compared to 26.3%.  The rate difference reflects net adjustments in the third quarter of 2011 totaling $0.5 million primarily related to the reversal of liabilities for uncertain tax positions under ASC 740 based on an Internal Revenue Service directive that provides a safe harbor deduction for certain merger-related expenses, partially offset by other adjustments.

Credit Quality

"We are very pleased with the overall credit quality results.  Credit quality metrics continued to trend positively, with the Pennsylvania portfolio seeing improvements from already very good levels and Regency performing consistently well.  The Florida portfolio, which was reduced nearly 13% during the fourth quarter, performed within our expectations," remarked Mr. Delie.

At December 31, 2011, levels of non-performing loans and OREO to total loans and OREO and past due and non-accrual loans to total loans were at their lowest points since September 30, 2008.  The ratio of non-performing loans and OREO to total loans and OREO declined 30 basis points to 2.05% at December 31, 2011, reflecting improvements from already good levels for the Pennsylvania and Regency portfolios combined with improvements in the Florida portfolio.  Past due and non-accrual loans to total loans equaled 2.31%, improving 26 basis points from September 30, 2011.  The allowance for loan losses to total loans equaled 1.47% and with the credit mark for the acquired portfolio equaled 1.83% at December 31, 2011 (non-GAAP measure).

In total, the provision for loan losses equaled $8.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, while net charge-offs totaled $16.4 million, reflecting the utilization of previously-provided reserves in the Florida portfolio.  Based on our analysis of the loan growth and improved trends in credit quality in the fourth quarter, reserves as a percentage of loans for the Pennsylvania portfolio decreased slightly by 2 basis points to 1.24% compared to 1.26% at September 30, 2011.  For the Florida portfolio, net loan charge-offs of $9.8 million exceeded provision for loan losses of $2.3 million, reflecting the completion of the annual appraisal process during the fourth quarter for the Florida land-related segment and the corresponding utilization of previously-provided reserves.  

The Pennsylvania loan portfolio's credit quality metrics for the fourth quarter of 2011 continue to reflect consistent solid performance.  The Pennsylvania loan portfolio totaled $6.5 billion at December 31, 2011 and comprised 95% of the total loan portfolio.  Non-performing loans and OREO were $73.9 million or 1.13% of total loans and OREO at December 31, 2011, improving from $78.3 million or 1.21%.  Past due and non-accrual loans to total loans were 1.73% at December 31, 2011, improving from 1.78% primarily the result of lower non-accrual loans.  Charge-off performance continues to be very good, with net charge-offs for the fourth quarter totaling 0.30% annualized of average loans and full year 2011 net charge-offs totaling 0.29% of average loans, the lowest full year level since 2008.  The allowance for loan losses to total loans equaled 1.24% and with the credit mark for the acquired portfolio equaled 1.62% at December 31, 2011 (non-GAAP measure).

The Florida loan portfolio totaled $154.1 million and represented 2.2% of the total loan portfolio, decreasing $22.5 million, or 12.7%, following principal payoffs and a note sale during the fourth quarter of 2011, which reduced balances by $17.4 million.  Total land-related exposure totaled $64.2 million and consisted of $44.8 million in loans and $19.4 million in OREO, representing a reduction of $5.8 million or 8.2%.

Capital Position

The Corporation's capital levels at December 31, 2011 were essentially the same as September 30, 2011 levels and continue to exceed federal bank regulatory agency "well capitalized" thresholds.  

At December 31, 2011, the estimated total risk-based capital ratio was 13.3%, the estimated tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 11.7% and the leverage ratio was 9.15%.  At December 31, 2011, the tangible equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP measure) was 6.65% compared to 6.57% and the tangible book value per share (non-GAAP measure) was $4.80.  

The dividend payout ratio for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 66%.

Full Year 2011 Results

(All comparisons refer to the full year 2010 results, except as noted)

Full year 2011 results include the impact from the Comm Bancorp, Inc. (CBI) acquisition completed on January 1, 2011.

F.N.B. Corporation's full year 2011 net income increased to $87.0 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, improved from $74.7 million, or $0.65 per diluted share.  Full year 2011 net income included merger costs of $3.2 million (after-tax), or $0.02 per diluted share.  Full year 2010 net income included the benefit of a one-time credit to pension expense for $6.9 million (after-tax) and merger costs of $0.4 million (after-tax) which increased full year net income by $0.06 per diluted share.

For the full year of 2011, return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP measure) totaled 15.76% compared to 16.02%, return on average equity was 7.36% compared to 7.06%, return on average tangible assets (non-GAAP measure) was 0.99% compared to 0.95%, and return on average assets was 0.88% compared to 0.84%.

Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis totaled $324.4 million for 2011, an increase of $32.8 million or 11.2%, reflecting 10.8% growth in average earning assets and a 2 basis point expansion of the net interest margin.  The growth in earning assets reflects a combination of organic growth and the CBI acquisition.  For 2011, average loans increased $719.8 million, or 12.1%, with organic growth of 5.1% primarily driven by continued strong market share gains in the Pennsylvania commercial portfolio.  Average deposits and customer repurchase agreements grew $830.6 million, or 11.6%, with organic growth of 3.6% due to continued new customer acquisition and higher average balances partially offset by a planned decline in time deposits.  

Non-interest income totaled $119.9 million for 2011, an increase of $3.9 million or 3.4%.  Fee income on a year-over-year basis reflects a $2.8 million, or 14.2%, increase in wealth management-related revenue as a result of revenue-generating initiatives, more favorable market conditions and organic growth.  Service charges increased $5.1 million, or 9.0%, reflecting higher volume, organic growth and the expanded customer base due to the CBI acquisition. Additionally, swap fee revenue included in other income increased 64.6% to $4.3 million for 2011, historically high results given the successful commercial loan growth and continued low interest rate environment.  Gain on the sale of loans declined $1.0 million, or 26.4%, reflecting lower volume in 2011.  Additionally, 2011 benefited from $2.3 million lower other-than-temporary impairment charges and $0.7 million higher gains on the sale of securities, while 2010 benefited from $3.7 million higher recoveries on impaired loans acquired through acquisitions and $2.5 million in gains related to the successful harvesting of mezzanine financing relationships by F.N.B. Capital Corporation.

Non-interest expense totaled $283.7 million for 2011, an increase of $32.6 million, or 13.0%, due to the addition of CBI-related operating costs and $4.4 million in higher merger-related costs in 2011 and the benefit of the one-time $10.5 million credit to pension expense in 2010.  Expected cost savings related to the CBI acquisition were fully phased in at the beginning of the second quarter of 2011.   Additionally, FDIC insurance expense declined by $2.5 million, or 23.8%, reflecting the benefit of a revised assessment methodology, while 2011 included $1.1 million in higher debt pre-payment charges.  F.N.B. Corporation's efficiency ratio for 2011 was 60% compared to 58% in 2010.

Credit quality results showed consistent improvement in 2011.  Provision for loan losses was $33.6 million, improving $13.7 million, or 28.9%, due to a $7.1 million lower provision for the Florida portfolio and a $6.6 million lower provision for the Pennsylvania portfolio.  Net charge-off results improved 19 basis points to 0.58% of total loans and reflect improved performance for all portfolios.  The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans equaled 1.47% at December 31, 2011, compared to 1.74% at December 31, 2010, with the decline principally reflecting the impact of the accounting treatment required for loans acquired in connection with the CBI acquisition.  The ratio of the allowance for loan losses plus the credit mark for the acquired portfolio to total loans plus the credit mark equaled 1.83% at December 31, 2011.

Other Highlights

F.N.B. Corporation has received recognition for distinctive quality in Small Business and Middle Market Banking in the 2011 Greenwich Excellence Awards.  F.N.B. Corporation is pleased to be the recipient of six 2011 Excellence Awards from Greenwich Associates including recognition as a national winner of the 2011 Greenwich Small Business Banking Excellence Awards for overall satisfaction, relationship manager performance, branch satisfaction and as a Northeast regional winner of overall satisfaction and Treasury Management overall satisfaction.  In addition, FNB received the 2011 Greenwich Excellence Award for Middle Market Banking overall satisfaction in the Northeast region.

Conference Call

F.N.B. Corporation will host its quarterly conference call to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2011 financial results on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 8:00 AM EST.  Participating callers may access the call by dialing (877) 723-9523 or (719) 325-4768 for international callers; the confirmation number is 8184850.  The audio-only Webcast may be accessed through the "Shareholder and Investor Relations" section of the Corporation's Web site at www.fnbcorporation.com.

A replay of the call will be available from 11:00 AM EST the day of the call until midnight EST on Tuesday, January 31, 2012.  The replay is accessible by dialing (877) 870-5176 or (858) 384-5517 for international callers; the confirmation number is 8184850.  The call transcript and Webcast will be available on the "Shareholder and Investor Relations" section of F.N.B. Corporation's Web site at www.fnbcorporation.com.

About F.N.B. Corporation

F.N.B. Corporation, headquartered in Hermitage, PA, is a diversified financial services company with total assets of $9.8 billion at December 31, 2011.  F.N.B. Corporation is a leading provider of commercial and retail banking, leasing, wealth management, insurance, merchant banking and consumer finance services in Pennsylvania and Ohio, where it owns and operates First National Bank of Pennsylvania, First National Trust Company, First National Investment Services Company, LLC, F.N.B. Investment Advisors, Inc., First National Insurance Agency, LLC, F.N.B. Capital Corporation, LLC, Regency Finance Company and F.N.B. Commercial Leasing.  It also operates consumer finance offices in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release of F.N.B. Corporation and the reports F.N.B. Corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission often contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, relating to present or future trends or factors affecting the banking industry and, specifically, the financial operations, markets and products of F.N.B. Corporation.  Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "outlook", "estimate", "forecast", "will", "should", "project", "goal", and other similar words and expressions.  These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties.  There are a number of important factors that could cause F.N.B. Corporation's future results to differ materially from historical performance or projected performance.  These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) a significant increase in competitive pressures among financial institutions; (2) changes in the interest rate environment that may reduce net interest margins; (3) changes in prepayment speeds, loan sale volumes, charge-offs and loan loss provisions; (4) general economic conditions; (5) various monetary and fiscal policies and regulations of the U.S. Government that may adversely affect the businesses in which F.N.B. Corporation is engaged; (6) technological issues which may adversely affect F.N.B. Corporation's financial operations or customers; (7) changes in the securities markets; (8) risk factors mentioned in the reports and registration statements F.N.B. Corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which are available on our shareholder and investor relations website at www.fnbcorporation.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov; (9) housing prices; (10) job market; (11) consumer confidence and spending habits and (12) estimates of fair value of certain F.N.B. Corporation assets and liabilities.  All information provided in this release and in the attachments is based on information only as of the date provided and presently available and F.N.B. Corporation undertakes no obligation to revise these forward-looking statements or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

DATA SHEETS FOLLOW

SOURCE F.N.B. Corporation